Gaslight

Synopsis

Set in a four storied house in Victorian London, Mr Jack Manningham is cunningly trying to drive his nervous, timid and insecure wife Betty mad. He accuses her of hiding or losing things and humiliates her in front of the housekeeper and maid. But Mr Manningham is not all he seems. A visit from ex-detective Rough reveals to Betty that her husband has a past life even more sinister than the present.

Our Review:

15 June 2007

Patrick Hamilton’s 1939 psychological thriller Gaslight has not been seen in London for many years, so Peter Gill’s astutely cast revival comes as a bit of a shock. The setting is London in 1880, where the dank and yellow afternoon is pierced by the distant sound of a hurdy-gurdy: “I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls” is the production’s recurring tune – “with vassals and serfs at my side.”

At first, we think Bella Manningham (Rosamund Pike) is going mad as she has misplaced grocery bills, forgotten the fire, lost a picture from the wall. What is more, she thinks she is going mad. Pike flutters like a beautiful wounded bird in a gilded cage, beating at invisible bars in her sumptuous grey gown.

Her husband Jack (Andrew Woodall) is driven to distraction, though he taunts her with the promise of a theatre outing. But gradually we realise that this is an abusive marriage. Every night, Jack leaves the house. The gaslights dim as someone ru...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

David Baxter - 26 July 2007:

Gaslight, more a melodrama than a thriller, is now very dated and perhaps a few stage effects like The Woman in Black would have added some much needed excitement to a play that is very wordy and probably more effective on the written page. Kenneth Cranham seems to think he's in a comedy which is just as well given some of his risible dialogue and Andrew Woodall is a pantomime villain, complete with boos at the curtain call. Not entirely bad, mainly thanks to very good female performances and taut direction but surely Gaslight is more suited to regional rep rather than such a prestigious theatre. Mind you The Old Vic is badly in need of rennovating many of its' seats and improving the disgraceful toilets to justify that label....

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Review Round-up: Rosamund Illuminates Gaslight More»